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K
Rank 1
Karlsa
Rank 1
August 7, 2022
Solved

Can I have my gas switched off as I cant afford the standing charges?

  • August 7, 2022
  • 6 replies
  • 7912 views

Im wondering if I can turn my gas off as I can’t afford to use it and don’t want the standing charge either. 
Also  if I go onto PAYG and don’t top it up will they still take the standing charge. 
Thanks in advance for any assistance. 

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 17/06/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

 

In addition to the great advice on this from Blastoise186 below my update, if you’re considering having the gas meter removed, it’ll be good to check out this handy guide from Blastoise on all the things to think about before removing the gas meter.

 



Need extra support with your energy bills? These articles may be helpful:

 

 

Hi @Karlsa ,

If you’re never planning to use gas ever again, the best solution would be to have the gas supply permanently disconnected. This will prevent you using gas at all, but would also terminate all charges related to it from the data the gas meter is removed.

 

Please don’t go onto PAYG with the mindset that this will solve the problem however - it definitely won’t and you’ll just end up racking up a huge debt. Even if you leave the meter with no credit for months on end, you’re still being charged with the Daily Standing Charges and they will accumulate a significant debt that would have to be repaid from future top-ups.

 

With that being said however, I feel there’s a better solution here. Please check out this article from OVO as they’ll be best placed to help you out. Don’t suffer in silence and please don’t be afraid to ask for help with your energy bills if you’re struggling.

6 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super UserSolved
Super User
August 7, 2022

Updated on 17/06/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

 

In addition to the great advice on this from Blastoise186 below my update, if you’re considering having the gas meter removed, it’ll be good to check out this handy guide from Blastoise on all the things to think about before removing the gas meter.

 



Need extra support with your energy bills? These articles may be helpful:

 

 

Hi @Karlsa ,

If you’re never planning to use gas ever again, the best solution would be to have the gas supply permanently disconnected. This will prevent you using gas at all, but would also terminate all charges related to it from the data the gas meter is removed.

 

Please don’t go onto PAYG with the mindset that this will solve the problem however - it definitely won’t and you’ll just end up racking up a huge debt. Even if you leave the meter with no credit for months on end, you’re still being charged with the Daily Standing Charges and they will accumulate a significant debt that would have to be repaid from future top-ups.

 

With that being said however, I feel there’s a better solution here. Please check out this article from OVO as they’ll be best placed to help you out. Don’t suffer in silence and please don’t be afraid to ask for help with your energy bills if you’re struggling.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    August 7, 2022

    If you're an OVO customer there is a charge for removing your gas meter. I think it's currently £160.

     

    It's a permanent solution so you should only consider it if you're sure you won't ever use gas in your property.

    1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    August 7, 2022

    @Tim_OVO this is an interesting question given the potential dramatic issues we may see over the next year.

    Have OVO, ofgem and the industry given any thought to temporary solutions in terms of the standing charge for people in desperate situations where they want to stop using gas until things settle down? Am curious to know if it has been discussed anywhere? Obviously I appreciate it is not simple in terms of operating costs. But these aren't normal times now. 

      K
      Rank 1
      KarlsaAuthor
      Rank 1
      August 7, 2022

      Im wondering if I can turn my gas off as I can’t afford to use it and don’t want the standing charge either. 
      Also  if I go onto PAYG and don’t top it up will they still take the standing charge. 
      Thanks in advance for any assistance. 

      Hi @Karlsa ,

      If you’re never planning to use gas ever again, the best solution would be to have the gas supply permanently disconnected. This will prevent you using gas at all, but would also terminate all charges related to it from the data the gas meter is removed.

      Please don’t go onto PAYG with the mindset that this will solve the problem however - it definitely won’t and you’ll just end up racking up a huge debt. Even if you leave the meter with no credit for months on end, you’re still being charged with the Daily Standing Charges and they will accumulate a significant debt that would have to be repaid from future top-ups.

      With that being said however, I feel there’s a better solution here. Please check out this article from OVO as they’ll be best placed to help you out. Don’t suffer in silence and please don’t be afraid to ask for help with your energy bills if you’re struggling.

      @Tim_OVO this is an interesting question given the potential dramatic issues we may see over the next year.

      Have OVO, ofgem and the industry given any thought to temporary solutions in terms of the standing charge for people in desperate situations where they want to stop using gas until things settle down? Am curious to know if it has been discussed anywhere? Obviously I appreciate it is not simple in terms of operating costs. But these aren't normal times now. 

      Hi. Thanks for the reply. 
      It’s not so much that I can’t afford the payments, it’s just that I don’t want to pay a standing charge daily when I only use my gas for the central heating in the winter for 4 months in the winter. It’s just a one bed flat. The standing charge is about £17 a month and I begrudge paying this company more than I have to. 
       
       

      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      August 7, 2022

      Im wondering if I can turn my gas off as I can’t afford to use it and don’t want the standing charge either. 
      Also  if I go onto PAYG and don’t top it up will they still take the standing charge. 
      Thanks in advance for any assistance. 

      Hi @Karlsa ,

      If you’re never planning to use gas ever again, the best solution would be to have the gas supply permanently disconnected. This will prevent you using gas at all, but would also terminate all charges related to it from the data the gas meter is removed.

      Please don’t go onto PAYG with the mindset that this will solve the problem however - it definitely won’t and you’ll just end up racking up a huge debt. Even if you leave the meter with no credit for months on end, you’re still being charged with the Daily Standing Charges and they will accumulate a significant debt that would have to be repaid from future top-ups.

      With that being said however, I feel there’s a better solution here. Please check out this article from OVO as they’ll be best placed to help you out. Don’t suffer in silence and please don’t be afraid to ask for help with your energy bills if you’re struggling.

      @Tim_OVO this is an interesting question given the potential dramatic issues we may see over the next year.

      Have OVO, ofgem and the industry given any thought to temporary solutions in terms of the standing charge for people in desperate situations where they want to stop using gas until things settle down? Am curious to know if it has been discussed anywhere? Obviously I appreciate it is not simple in terms of operating costs. But these aren't normal times now. 

      Hi. Thanks for the reply. 
      It’s not so much that I can’t afford the payments, it’s just that I don’t want to pay a standing charge daily when I only use my gas for the central heating in the winter for 4 months in the winter. It’s just a one bed flat. The standing charge is about £17 a month and I begrudge paying this company more than I have to. 
       
       

      @Karlsa 

      Unfortunately there aren't any tariff like that where you can pay no or a reduced standing charge at certain times a year. 

      In the past a few suppliers had tariff with reduced or no standing charge, but higher unit rates, these worked for a few low energy users. Martin Lewis from MoneySavingExpert has talked about similar tariffs recently for low users. So keep an eye out for anything he says. You would need to contact all suppliers to see if they offer something like this. 

      Let us know if you find any tariff with no or reduced standing charge.

       

       

        P
        Newcomer
        Phil0110
        Newcomer
        August 8, 2022

        Of course you can switch it off

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

        OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

        OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

        OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd